ATLANTA – Today, Georgia WIN List announces the endorsement of “Ten Terrific” Democratic pro-choice women candidates for primary contests, six of whom could WIN on May 21 during what has become a record setting year for women candidates in Georgia.
Georgia WIN List is the state’s leading Political Action Committee for recruiting, training and electing and re-electing women who are committed to the restoration of reproductive freedom and medical autonomy for women. The group has helped elect more than 90 women to the Georgia General Assembly during its 24-year history, with 49 of them currently serving. Further, 18 WIN List endorsed women have FLIPped seats from red to blue since 2017.
“We are thrilled to endorse so many eloquent and well-prepared women candidates who have pledged to restore reproductive freedom during this very important election cycle,” said Former Rep. CaMia Jackson, who is vice chair of the WIN List board and oversees the endorsement process for the organization. “As the first election cycle since the overturn of Roe, 2024 is the most important in our 24-year history.
“Women voters want to vote for candidates who will protect medical autonomy. Women want to be sure our daughters and granddaughters have the same access to the same safe and legal reproductive medical care we have enjoyed for the past five decades. WIN List is happy to have a record setting number of highly qualified women on the ballot for “Roevember.” Republicans should be fearful because our network of supportive Women in Numbers plans to elect Women in Numbers this year!”
Six of the newly endorsed women are in primary only contests and four hope to advance to General Election contests in November. Watch the video press conference above to learn more about the candidates in their own words.
The Six newly endorsed candidates in May 21 Primary only contests include:
SD 28 Terracia Wilkinson hopes to defeat Senator Donzella James, who often votes with Republicans rather than Democratic colleagues. Terracia is a businesswoman with 20 years of event management experience, a stellar reputation as a publicist for Atlanta’s elite entertainment and political figures as well as founder of Brown Girls Brunch. www.votetee4senate.com
SD 33 Euriel Hemmerly hopes to unseat Cobb County Sen. Michael “Doc” Rhett. An immigrant from Nigeria, she moved to Cobb County when she was 19. A businesswoman, she is an advocate for public education and a champion for the homeless who has been recognized for her promotion of international understanding. www.electeuriel4ga.com
SD 38 Nkoyo Effiong Lewis is running against five men for the Fulton County seat long held by Sen. Horacena Tate, who retired. If elected, she would become the Senate’s only Black woman attorney. A close loss in a 2023 Atlanta School Board race taught her not to run a “timid” campaign. www.nkoyoforga.com
HD 61 Mekyah McQueen is a math teacher and Spelman alum running to replace Cobb County’s Rep. Roger Bruce, who retired. A daughter of the district, she taught overseas for seven years before returning home. She will be a strong voice for restoring reproductive freedom and a fierce advocate for public education. www.mcqueenforga.com
HD 74 Maggy Martinez is one of two candidates for a newly created OPEN seat which includes Hampton and portions of Clayton and Henry Counties. She served as a legislator in Puerto Rico and was named “Legislator of the Year” in 1999 before moving to Georgia and becoming a public school teacher. www.maggymartinez.com
HD 91 Former Rep. Dee Dawkins Haigler spent a decade serving DeKalb County citizens who were recently drawn into HD 91. She is challenging Rep. Angela Moore with the active and enthusiastic encouragement of her former legislative colleagues. An AME pastor, she enjoys support from many established civic organizations and her sorority. www.deeforgeorgia.com
The remaining four candidates must first WIN a contested Democratic primary to advance to the contest with a Republican in November:
SD 21 Tracey Verhoven hopes challenge Republican Senator Brandon Beach in November. A realtor and actress, she lives on a North Georgia lake and brings an energetic approach to her campaign. Her first political activity was organizing a “boycott” of warm milk cartons served with school lunch at the age of seven. www.facebook.com/traceygasenate
SD 37 Sadia Ali hopes to defeat Republican Sen. Ed Setzler, sponsor of 2024’s RIFRA legislation and Georgia’s currently enforced 2019 abortion ban. A Muslim mother of two and podiatrist/foot surgeon, she champions a “fact-based” approach to public policy and the restoration of reproductive freedom and medical autonomy for all women. www.sadiaforga.com
SD 55 Iris Hamilton faces five-person primary field to replace Senate Minority Leader Gloria Butler, who retired. A registered nurse, she has long been an advocate for her profession and better health care for the public. She has served as an officer of the county party and been a grassroots political organizer. www.irisforgeorgia.com
HD 149 Phyllis Tufts Hightower brings a 30-year record of work as an art therapist providing mental health services, including work with youthful offenders in the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. The district spans from Milledgeville where she attended college to the Macon suburbs where she has lived for 30 years. www.winphylliswin.wixsite.com
Of the 49 currently serving WIN List endorsed women, two have announced they are retiring and two were gerrymandered into the same district to run against each other. There are 25 WIN List endorsed incumbents who face either Primary or General Election opposition and 21 who seek re-election without opposition.
WIN List earlier announced six endorsed candidates on March 7(link to press release): SD 34 Kenya Wicks, HD 47 Debra Shigley, HD 48 Laura Murvartian, HD 53 Susie Greenberg, HD 99 Michelle Kang, and HD 145 Tangie Herring.
After the May primary, WIN List plans to announce another round of endorsements because 35 women have qualified to run in General Election only contests, with many of them hoping to unseat sitting Republicans and others in newly created open seats. “The dramatic special election victory for a Democratic woman in a “ruby red” Alabama Republican district demonstrates all bets are off in this election cycle,” former Rep. Jackson said. “Our WINning women are well prepared for the fight ahead!”
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